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Dowdy shined in senior year

Tom Kreager, tkreager@dnj.com
Published 3:30 p.m. CT Dec. 26, 2015

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Blackman's Taeler Dowdy (3) runs the ball as Maryville's Tyler Zwolinski (23) moves in for the tackle during the quarterfinal game at Maryville on Friday, Nov. 20, 2015.(Photo: HELEN COMER/DNJ)Buy Photo

How lofty? The Blackman senior wanted to better the numbers of the best running back the school has ever had in the backfield.

While he didn't accomplish that goal, he was the top running back in Rutherford County, rushing for an area-best 2,132 yards and 30 total touchdowns in 13 games.

For his achievements, Dowdy has been named The Daily News Journal's 2015 Offensive Player of the Year.

He is the second Blaze athlete in as many years to receive the honor. Tennessee freshman Jauan Jennings earned the honor in 2014. Former Blaze running back I'Tavius Mathers, whose 2010 numbers Dowdy wanted to surpass, received the award in 2010 and 2011.

"My goal before the season was to beat I'Tavius' record," Dowdy said. "I think this being my senior year really drove me to work hard.

"It helped me have such a good season."

Mathers became the first Rutherford County running back to rush for 2,000 yards in a 10-game regular season in 2010 when he had 2,070. He finished with a school-record 2,614 yards that season in 13 games.

But Dowdy (6-foot-1, 185) had other reasons to want to break Mathers' feat. A backup a year ago, this was Dowdy's lone season as a starter

He wasted little time getting on track. He rushed for more than 100 yards in 11 of the Blaze's 13 games this season and went over 180 yards five times and over 250 yards on three occasions.

Dowdy was often greedy with his carries. He rarely wanted to leave the field when the Blaze had the ball. He wanted it in his hands.

"I was excited for this year," said Dowdy, who was one of 10 new offensive starters for the Blaze. "I worked really hard for this year."

Dowdy was an explosive runner in the trenches for the Blaze. He'd often pause as he hit the line, giving his offensive line a chance to open the hole. He'd then dart through it with speed and power.

"My motto that I went by this year was 'slow, low and explode,'" Dowdy said. "I would patiently wait for the hole, then explode when I saw it."

The downside to waiting to play has been catching college coaches' eyes. Dowdy wants to play college football. However, he had limited highlight film to give college scouts prior to this year. His current offers include just Austin Peay and Tennessee State — two FCS schools in the Ohio Valley Conference.

"Some colleges have offered other players prior to this year because they played earlier," Dowdy said. "So I'm kind of getting the back end of offers."